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Brawny Bunk Bed

CPSC Recall #86-022 - March 23, 1986

Recall Summary

Recall Number86-022
Recall DateMarch 23, 1986
Remedy TypeRepair
Units Affected Only about 25,000 of about 112,000 Brawny owners have ordered the modification kit.

Product

Brawny Bunk Bed

Description

As a result of a second fatal accident involving a Brawny bunk bed, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Sears, Roebuck and Co. is notifying customers of the availability of a free safety modification kit for the beds. The recently reported second death involved a 21-month-old Pennsylvania child reportedly playing under a Brawny bunk bed with his 3-year-old brother in September 1985. The mattress assembly was dislodged and fell on the younger child. The bunk beds were set up as twin beds at the time of the accident, but did not have cross wires to prevent the mattress assembly from falling through the bed frame. In December 1983, a two-year-old Denver boy died under similar circumstances. In February 1985, Sears advertised the availability of a modification kit in newspapers nationwide and through signs in its retail and catalog outlets. Only about 25,000 of about 112,000 Brawny owners have ordered the modification kit. Sears will use national magazine advertisements and warning posters in its outlets to notify customers of the modification kit's availability. The free modification kit was developed to help prevent the mattress assembly from falling through the bed frame. It consists of four metal cross wires. Two cross wires are to be securely fastened from one side rail to the other on each bed. Customers who have a Brawny bunk bed which does not have cross wires securely screwed onto the side rails can obtain a free modification kit by calling 800-831-5551 or their nearest Sears retail or catalog outlet. in Illinois only, customers should call 800-323-0366. The kits will be shipped free of charge from the manufacturer directly to consumer.

Hazard

The mattress assembly can dislodge and cause severe injury and/or death.

Incidents & Injuries

The recently reported second death involved a 21-month-old Pennsylvania child reportedly playing under a Brawny bunk bed with his 3-year-old brother in September 1985. The mattress assembly was dislodged and fell on the younger child. The bunk beds were set up as twin beds at the time of the accident, but did not have cross wires to prevent the mattress assembly from falling through the bed frame. In December 1983, a two-year-old Denver boy died under similar circumstances.

Remedy Instructions

The free modification kit was developed to help prevent the mattress assembly from falling through the bed frame. It consists of four metal cross wires. Two cross wires are to be securely fastened from one side rail to the other on each bed. The kits will be shipped free of charge from the manufacturer directly to consumer.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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